IT’S a show that has raised the roof at Dubai Opera and possibly lifted the sale of umbrellas in the UAE – and this week its two leading characters went beyond the roof for a visit to a lofty neighbour.
HITTING THE HIGH NOTES: Leading cast members Zizi Strallen and Matt Lee strike a pose on the Burj Khalifa
Mary Poppins is the longest-running show to occupy the classy Downtown Dubai venue since it opened its doors last year and - following the success of Les Miserables - confirms Dubai's appetite for musical theatre is very healthy indeed.
With the extended run of their musical extravaganza continuing until May 25, leading cast members Zizi Strallen, who plays the gifted nanny, and Matt Lee, aka chimney sweep Bert, took to the world’s tallest building to shout it across, if not from, the rooftops.
While they were unlikely to find any chimney stacks up there, it gave the pair a great view of the city the Matthew Bourne-choreographed show has wowed.
The much-loved 1964 musical fantasy film was finally brought to the stage by theatre guru Cameron Mackintosh and Disney, and has given the 70-year-old promoter yet another universally popular hit.
While they were unlikely to find any chimney stacks up there, it gave the pair a great view of the city the Matthew Bourne-choreographed show has wowed.
The much-loved 1964 musical fantasy film was finally brought to the stage by theatre guru Cameron Mackintosh and Disney, and has given the 70-year-old promoter yet another universally popular hit.
NANNY STATE: Zizi Strallen has given Mary Poppins a new lease of life on stage
An award-winning, family-friendly show, it began its run in Dubai on May 1 and continues for two more weeks with the smile-raising antics at Cherry Tree Lane brought to life in the evening and at matinees.
The show was adapted from the book by PL Travers and the legendary Walt Disney movie starring Julie Andrews and Dick van Dyke, forever remembered for his curious Cockney accent.
By all accounts Matt does a much more convincing job and Zizi has made the part of the flying, magical child minder her own in this lavish encounter.
The show was adapted from the book by PL Travers and the legendary Walt Disney movie starring Julie Andrews and Dick van Dyke, forever remembered for his curious Cockney accent.
By all accounts Matt does a much more convincing job and Zizi has made the part of the flying, magical child minder her own in this lavish encounter.
HIGH PRAISE: Mary Poppins has been given a universal thumbs up since starting a lengthy Dubai Opera run
The show was co-created by Mackintosh – the man with the midas touch behind Cats, Les Miserables, The Phantom of the Opera, Miss Saigon, Oliver and other West End/Broadway hits – and Oscar-winning screenwriter Julian Fellowes, who also created Downton Abbey.
Front and centre of the production, however, are the songs Spoonful Of Sugar, Step In Time, Jolly Holiday, Feed The Birds and, of course, enduring tongue-twister Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious.
DETAILS:
FOR show times and tickets details click on www.dubaiopera.etixdubai.com/shows/show.aspx?sh=poppins17&gclid=CjsKDwjw0cXIBRCxjqnE3K3sHhIkAL1LezRq3x6wrdPCkj-J6FuzXtCGo6HPHFfWJ8UpPChpTzVAGgIcXvD_BwE
Front and centre of the production, however, are the songs Spoonful Of Sugar, Step In Time, Jolly Holiday, Feed The Birds and, of course, enduring tongue-twister Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious.
DETAILS:
FOR show times and tickets details click on www.dubaiopera.etixdubai.com/shows/show.aspx?sh=poppins17&gclid=CjsKDwjw0cXIBRCxjqnE3K3sHhIkAL1LezRq3x6wrdPCkj-J6FuzXtCGo6HPHFfWJ8UpPChpTzVAGgIcXvD_BwE
